I would like to please understand why this was rejected.
Good day and welcome to the forum!
Following the clarification on memorial benches:
I feel like much of the supporting text can be used for the description.
We put flavor text about the point of interest into the description while backing it up in the supporting info. Here is an infographic on how your nomination can be perceived through the Review Page:
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Thank you for your appeal, Explorer! We recommend adding more information in the supporting nomination text to highlight the significance of the bench in your new nomination. This can significantly increase the chances of approval.
I recognize that the staff’s appeal notes need improvement as well. Hopefully, they can take this feedback into consideration for themselves. Although I’d prefer if you can also make a better attempt rather than the staff overturning this decision.
Just keep in mind for now that the description will be what is visible in the Wayfarer map or any game the wayspot may be included in. Speaking of inclusion algorithms, I also suggest you read this article: Why an accepted Wayspot may not be used in Pokemon Go (S2 cells and Pokemon Go)
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I would recommend that you resubmit a fresh nomination for this memorial bench.
A close up photo of the memorial plaque should be used and the description should be the actual wording on the plaque.
You can definitely demonstrate that Kenneth Gray was an important member of your community by providing a link to his obituary Kenneth Gray Obituary - Monterey, CA (1950-2014) which “says it all”.
Good luck
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I just noticed that the link to the obituary was included in your original submission. Perhaps it just got “lost” to reviewers in your supporting commentary.
Perhaps a shorter supporting commentary might highlight this important link better.
Something like ….. Kenneth Gray was a community leader who served on the Marina City Council from 2002 to 2010. In 1998, he founded Marina 2020 Vision and spearheaded a development of an initiative to establish an Urban Grown Boundary in Marina. For further evidence of his importance and service to our community, please refer to Kenneth Gray Obituary - Monterey, CA (1950-2014)
Memorial benches are never going to be Easy Accepts due to different thoughts on what is classed as a “dedicated to a notable figure”.
A: Someone who is known as a “Town Founder” is likely to be accepted.
B: Someone that served on the council for a few years and did little of note is less likely.
Yours is definitely closer to to “A” but everyone is going to have a different opinion on where the line sits.
Good Luck
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What makes a person important to their local community? Is it just restricted to that person being a historical figure?
Should it not include those people who actively participate in their community, address local needs through active volunteering and service, demonstrate leadership and enhance the overall well-being of their community. Reading his obituary, you can argue that Kenneth Gray demonstrated a lot of these behaviours during his lifetime.
I feel that you have definitely provided sufficient evidence of Kenneth Gray’s importance to the local community. I just that said evidence may have been “lost” to reviewers due to the length of your original supporting commentary.
My other point, it is very rare for an important historical figure (like a town founder) to be memorialised with just a bench. Such figures normally have a statue or a park / street / suburb named after them.
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Just to confirm: I was not stating that that the OPs nominations was correctly Rejected or not.
I was just stating that, as with many things in Wayfarer there are grey areas.
With my examples I was just trying to state the very top and the lowest that would likely have a chance.
The man / woman that ran the corner shop is important to the community.
A Lolly-pop Man / Woman (School Crossing Person) is important to the community.
Using my example of “Town Founder”, my town was founded in the middle ages. Is the Founder important to todays community?
I was just trying to answer the OPs original request of “I would like to please understand why this was rejected.”
Replies have been that this case seems to be of the higher chance of Acceptable with some minor changes (which I agree).
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Thank you everyone for the suggestions.
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